Ron Sandackhttp://wuis.org
enLegislation Aims To Change School Culturehttp://wuis.org/post/legislation-aims-change-school-culture
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">A <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=100&amp;GAID=13&amp;DocTypeID=SB&amp;LegId=83402&amp;SessionID=88&amp;GA=99">measure</a> that would limit the way schools hand out discipline has made its way through the Illinois legislature and is awaiting Governor Bruce&nbsp;Rauner's&nbsp;signature. Thu, 21 May 2015 16:32:30 +0000Dusty Rhodes50148 at http://wuis.orgLegislation Aims To Change School CultureThis Way To Exit: Budget, Or Turnaroundhttp://wuis.org/post/way-exit-budget-or-turnaround
<p>By the end of this month, Illinois legislators are slated to be done with their work. That means passing a new budget. Amanda Vinicky checks in with how that's progressing -- including in the eyes of the state's new governor.&nbsp;</p><p>Thu, 21 May 2015 10:32:00 +0000Amanda Vinicky50124 at http://wuis.orgThis Way To Exit: Budget, Or TurnaroundLawmaker: Give Bankruptcy A Chancehttp://wuis.org/post/lawmaker-give-bankruptcy-chance
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">An Illinois Republican has </span><a href="http://ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=298&amp;GAID=13&amp;GA=99&amp;DocTypeID=HB&amp;LegID=84044&amp;SessionID=88" style="line-height: 1.5;">proposed</a><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> changing state law to let cities and towns declare bankruptcy.</span></p>Mon, 23 Mar 2015 10:00:00 +0000Brian Mackey45844 at http://wuis.orgLawmaker: Give Bankruptcy A ChanceSchool Funding Fight Set To Resume In Senatehttp://wuis.org/post/school-funding-fight-set-resume-senate
<p><font color="#1F497D" face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 16px;">When it comes to funding public schools, Illinois ranks near the bottom for equity. Legislation designed to change that stalled last session. Lawmakers are revising it to try again.</span></font></p>Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:11:27 +0000Dusty Rhodes41437 at http://wuis.orgSchool Funding Fight Set To Resume In SenateManar Gears Up For Fight Over School Funding Changehttp://wuis.org/post/manar-gears-fight-over-school-funding-change
<p>State lawmakers returning to the capitol for the fall veto session could discuss a change in the state's school funding formula.&nbsp;&nbsp; But it won't happen without a fight.&nbsp;</p><p>State Senator Andy Manar, a Democrat from Bunker Hill in Macoupin County, has been pushing for approval of a plan that would provide additional aid to districts with a higher number of students in poverty.</p>Mon, 29 Sep 2014 21:57:54 +0000Dusty Rhodes34144 at http://wuis.orgManar Gears Up For Fight Over School Funding ChangeElection-Year Fight Over What's Next In Probe Of Quinn's NRIhttp://wuis.org/post/election-year-fight-over-whats-next-probe-quinns-nri
<p>After a day-long meeting Wednesday, a legislative commission will meet again Thursday morning in Chicago. They're set to begin with a call to the U.S. Attorney's office. Democrats and Republicans are at a standstill over what to do next in their probe of Gov. Pat Quinn's controversial anti-violence program.</p><p></p>Wed, 16 Jul 2014 23:02:16 +0000Amanda Vinicky29433 at http://wuis.orgElection-Year Fight Over What's Next In Probe Of Quinn's NRIGOP Lawmaker Wants Quinn To Testifyhttp://wuis.org/post/gop-lawmaker-wants-quinn-testify
<p>A Republican lawmaker wants Gov. Pat Quinn to testify before a legislative commission over a scandal-plagued anti-violence program. &nbsp;</p><p>State Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine is a frequent critic of Quinn. He claimed Wednesday that Quinn is ``hiding'' as an audit commission probes the Chicago Democrat's approximately $55 million Neighborhood Recovery Initiative. &nbsp;</p>Wed, 25 Jun 2014 21:46:05 +0000Associated Press28027 at http://wuis.orgGOP Lawmaker Wants Quinn To TestifyRepublicans: Ask Voters About Income Taxhttp://wuis.org/post/republicans-ask-voters-about-income-tax
<p>The question of whether to extend Illinois' temporary income tax increase has dominated the spring legislative session. On Tuesday, Republicans said the question ought to be put to voters this fall.</p><p>Illinois voters will face a long list of referenda on the November ballot: on voting rights and crime victims rights, and possibly the minimum wage, term limits for lawmakers and legislative district map-making.</p>Tue, 20 May 2014 19:23:30 +0000Brian Mackey25535 at http://wuis.orgRepublicans: Ask Voters About Income TaxGay Rights Group To Help Some Republican Candidateshttp://wuis.org/post/gay-rights-group-help-some-republican-candidates
<p>An advocacy group supporting gay and lesbian causes in Illinois is bolstering the campaign funds of two Republican lawmakers.<br />&nbsp;<br />Equality Illinois' political action committee says it plans to put $150,000 into the campaigns of candidates that support same-sex marriage before Tuesday's primary.<br />&nbsp;<br />That includes state Reps. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove and Ed Sullivan of Mundelein _ two of three GOP members of the House to vote to legalize same-sex marriage last fall. The third, state Rep. Tom Cross, is making a bid for state treasurer.<br />&nbsp;Thu, 13 Mar 2014 22:53:00 +0000Associated Press20829 at http://wuis.orgGay Rights Group To Help Some Republican CandidatesReducing The Number Of State Laws Not So Simplehttp://wuis.org/post/reducing-number-state-laws-not-so-simple
<p>The name “lawmaker” implies someone who helps pass laws.&nbsp; But some who serve in the role are critical of that part of the job description.&nbsp; Lee Strubinger looks at why they say there are too many laws on the books.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>Every year when the Illinois General Assembly goes in to session, a regular drumbeat of new proposals are debated.&nbsp; They deal with topics from crime, to regulation and even seemingly innocuous measures to honor someone or something.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>More than 600 new laws were signed in the last year alone.</p>Thu, 13 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +0000Lee Strubinger20743 at http://wuis.orgReducing The Number Of State Laws Not So SimpleStrange Bedfellows Could Kill Leaders' Pension Dealhttp://wuis.org/post/strange-bedfellows-could-kill-leaders-pension-deal
<p>Illinois legislators will be asked today (12/3) to take what many say could be the most important vote of their careers. They've been called back to Springfield to take up a measure that would drastically alter the state's retirement plans. Doing so would have obvious ramifications for state employees, teachers and university workers whose pensions are at stake. But the impact of a vote is far more widespread. What happens could also affect everything from the state's credit rating and Illinois' next budget, to the 2014 elections. The outcome is anything but certain.</p>Tue, 03 Dec 2013 12:21:51 +0000Amanda Vinicky14208 at http://wuis.orgStrange Bedfellows Could Kill Leaders' Pension DealCross, 2 Other Republicans Help Pass Same Sex Marriage In Househttp://wuis.org/post/cross-2-other-republicans-help-pass-same-sex-marriage-house
<p>Former House minority leader Tom Cross is among three House Republicans who voted in favor of legislation allowing same-sex marriage in Illinois. &nbsp;</p><p>The Oswego Republican hadn't indicated how he'd vote prior to Tuesday when the House approved the bill 61-54. He currently is seeking higher office with a run for Illinois treasurer. &nbsp;</p>Tue, 05 Nov 2013 23:17:58 +0000Associated Press12428 at http://wuis.orgCross, 2 Other Republicans Help Pass Same Sex Marriage In HouseComptroller: All Legislative Paychecks Processedhttp://wuis.org/post/comptroller-all-legislative-paychecks-processed
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>After going without pay for three months, Illinois legislators&#39; paychecks are in the bank.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Serving as a state senator or representative is technically a part-time job -- and for some, it is. For others, it is a full-time gig and sole source of income.</span></p><p>Which made it tough when Gov. Pat Quinn canceled General Assembly members&#39; pay over the summer because they failed to pass legislation to cut pension costs.</p>Wed, 02 Oct 2013 21:08:38 +0000Amanda Vinicky10127 at http://wuis.orgComptroller: All Legislative Paychecks Processed